Chase follows God's plan to Trinity Church

Pastor Louis Chase and his wife Donna moved to the area in late May. Chase began his role as Trinity Baptist Church's new pastor, June 1, 2011.

When you meet the Lord, He wants you to do something with your life, says Pastor Louis Chase.

"I found God late in life," Chase added.

So with an unplanned move, Louis and Donna Chase uprooted their lives from Ryderwood, Wa., where the two were retired. The couple moved to the Sunnyside area in late May to take over the pastoral leadership at Trinity Baptist Church located at 1051 Alexander Road in Sunnyside. Louis Chase became pastor at Trinity June 1.

"That's all there is to it," he said.

Chase said after turning his life over to God, he felt a calling to serve God and His people. Several missionary trips during retirement took the couple down the road to see what a life of service was like. He also spent five years as a chaplain for the Lewis County Sheriff's Office.

Donna Chase spent her professional career working in administration as a secretary. After retirement she took on the role as a church secretary.

When Louis Chase saw a posting for a small church in Sunnyside, with a vacant pastor position, he applied.

"They called me; I came here and preached a sermon and the congregation chose us," he said.

Donna Chase also stepped into the vacant secretary slot at Trinity.

"They didn't have a secretary so I stepped in," she said.

Louis Chase, a Washington state native, attended schools in Snohomish County, Prairie Bible College at Three Hills Alberta, Canada and Seminary Extension through the Southern Baptist Convention. Chase says when he found God; he knew he was called into a ministry setting. Even though he had planned retirement, for him, timing didn't matter; it was always the perfect time to follow God.

"I didn't attend seminary until I was 54 years old," he added.

The couple has two children, six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and "two in the basket" all of whom reside in the Vancouver, Wa. area.

Chase said he applied to work in this area for sunshine the west side of the mountains lacked.

"But it wouldn't matter what kind of weather or where the location; I would follow God wherever He led me," he said.

Chase and his wife express acceptance of all people. They say their desire is to reach all kinds of people, no matter what they are wearing.

"I'm not a suit and tie pastor," he added. "We want everyone to know they are welcome here."

Traditional hymns are a favorite in the Chase household, but he says he prefers the songs done with stringed instruments along with the piano.

"I'm hoping to find (a person) or a group in the community who sings and plays with a country flavor," he added.

Chase says his one desire is to reach the lost and hurting people. Currently his Spanish is limited, but he plans to brush up on the language.

"Trinity is a small loving church that welcomes everyone, no matter where you come from, what language you speak, how you're dressed or whether you've just come in from the barn yard," he said. "We welcome everyone with open arms."

The Church meets Sundays for Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and for worship service at 11 a.m. Additionally, the church meets each Wednesday for Bible study and prayer at 6 p.m. For more information call (509) 439-1922.